Variable cam mechanism



July 20 1943. o. E. COTE 2,324,767

VARIABLE CAM MECHANISM Filed April 17, 1942 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 ,6/ i i" J5g zal INVENTOR BY mefE'. 02%,

ATTORNEY.

July 20, 1943.4. o. E. 'COTE VARIABLE CAM MECHANISM Filed April 17, 19424 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTORNEY.

July 2o, 1943. o. E. COTE 2,324,767

VAR IABLE CAM MECHANI SM Filed April 17, 1942 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR.mefl 6217/?,

BY kfw ATTORNEY.

July 20, 1943. o. coTE VARIABLE CAM MECHANISM Filed April 17, 1942 4Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR. mf'f 622723, BY ,m2/J

ATTORNEY.

Patented July 20, 1943 VARIABLE CAM MECHANISM Omer E. Goto, Providence,R. I., assignor to United States Automatic Box Machinery Co., Inc.,Roslindale, Mass., a corporation of Massachusetts Application April 17,1942, Serial No. 439,344

12 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in machine elements; and theinvention has reference, more particularly, to an improved constructionof Variable cam mechanism.

In many types of machines which include intermittently actuatedmechanism, it is desirable to vary the period of operation of thelatter, whereby to increase or decrease the same. It is therefore anobject of this invention to provide improved means for controlling,among other purposes, the operation of intermittently actuatedmechanism, which includes novel means for adjusting such control meansso as to vary its operative effect, whereby to increase or decrease atwill the period of operation of the mechanism controlled thereby. Tothis end, the present invention provides a novel construction of rotarycontrol cam mechanism, including means to adjust the same for varyingits operative effect.

'Ihe invention has for another object to provide a novel construction ofrotary cam mechanism which is subject to adjustment for varying itsoperative effect while it continues in motion; thus avoiding necessityfor interrupting the operation of the machine, of which it is a part, in

order to make such adjustments.

The invention has for another object to provide an improved rotary camdevice having novel means for increasing or decreasing its effective camsurface between maximum-minimum limits, together with manipulatablemeans for so adjusting the same which may be effectively operated bothwhile the cam is running as Well as when it is stopped.

A further and more specific object of this invention is to provide avariable cam mechanism of the kind mentioned in combination with means.for intermittently driving a material feed auger of an automatic augertype container filling machine, whereby to vary the period of operativerevolution of such feed auger.

Other objects of this invention, not at this time more particularlyenumerated, will be understood from the following detailed descriptionof the same.

An illustrative embodiment of this invention is shown in theaccompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is an elevational View of an automatic auger type containerfilling machine equipped with the novel variable cam mechanism accordingto this invention; Fig. 2 is a fragmentary vertical longitudinalsectional view of said filling machine showing a feed auger and itsdriving mechanism, said View being drawn on an enlarged scale; Fig. 3 isa fragmentary side eleva-- tion, also drawn on an enlarged scale, of thefeed auger drive shaft and the clutch mechanism therefor which isautomatically controlled by the variable cam mechanism according to thisinvention.

Fig. 4 is a side elevational view on an enlarged scale of the variablecam mechanism and its manipulatable adjusting means; Fig. 5 is afragmentary side elevation of the friction brake means included in themanipulatable means for adjusting the Variable cam mechanism; and Fig. 6is a horizontal section through said brake means, taken on line 6-5 inFig. 4.

Fig. 7 is a transverse vertical sectional view, taken on line 'I-l inFig. 4, but showing the variable cam device in elevation; Fig. 8 is atransverse sectional View of said variable cam device, taken on line 8 8in Fig. 4; Fig. 9 is a sectional view of the variable cam device, takenon line 9-9 in Fig. 7; and Fig. 10 is a view similar to that of Fig. 9,but showing the cam device adjusted to increase its effective camsurface.

Similar characters of reference are employed in the above describedviews, to indicate corresponding parts.

The variable rotary cam device according to this invention is operatedby a suitably driven continuously running cam shaft I. Fixed on said camshaft I0, so as to rotate therewith, is a main cam member II having aneffective peripheral surface I2 of suitable length which is concentricto the axis of said cam shaft Ill. At its leading end, said main cammember is provided with a suitably shaped lift or thrust surface I3.Said main cam member II may be fixed on the cam shaft l in any suitablemanner. Illustratively, as shown, said cam member II, is split radially,as at I4, to provide opposed contractible sections to embrace the camshaft I0; said sections being drawn together into frictionally grippingrelation to the cam shaft I0 by means of a clamp screw I 5, which isengaged therewith.

The trailing end of said main cam member I I is provided with aperforate ear I6 of reduced width. Pivotally connected with said cammember ear i6, by its bifurcate inner end portion Il which straddlessaid ear, is a cam extension segment I8 of suitable length. Said camextension segment is adapted to extend rearwardly from the main cammember II. When said cam extension segment I8 is disposed in normal oroutswung position, its outer surface I9 lies concentric to the axis ofthe cam shaft Ill, and thus forms a continuation of the eifectivesurface I2 of the main cam member i I. The bifurcate inner end portionIl of said cam extension segment is swingably coupled to the main cammember ear I6 by a transverse pivot pin 2B, and said inner end portionII is provided with stop projection means 2I, which normally abuts theshouldered portion 22 at the base of the ear I5 of said main cam memberI I, whereby to limit the out-swung movement of said cam extensionsegment so as to determine its aforesaid normal position.

Adjustable means is provided for both supporting the cam extensionsegment I8 in normal cutswung position for operative extension of theeffective peripheral surface of the main cam member I I, as well as fordetermining the moment of release and in-swinging movement of the camextension segment, whereby .to correspondingly determine the effectivelength of total cam surface within maximum-minimum limits. Anillustrative embodiment of such means comprises a track cam plate 23,which is mounted on the cam shaft Il! so as to freely turn about thesame, adjacent to one side of the main cam member II and its camextension segment I8. On its inner sidey said plate 23 is provided withan inwardly offset track cam 24, having a supporting track surface 25 ofsuitable length and concentric to the cam shaft axis. At its rearwardend, said track cam 24 is provided with a suitably shaped lift surface25 leading onto said track surface 25, and at its forward end said trackcam is provided with a radial drop-off end 21, which terminates thetrack surface 25. The cam extension segment I8 is provided withlaterally projecting roller means 23 adapted to be operatively engagedby said track cam 24.

Means is provided for rotatively adjusting said track cam plate 23,whereby to advance or retract' the forward drop-off end 2l of its trackcam 24 relative to the trailing end of the main cam member I I. Meansfor so adjusting the track cam plate 23 is subject to considerablevariation in form, but a preferred embodiment thereof comprises arotatable adjusting worm 29 adapted to operatively engage worm gearteeth 35 with which a suitable extent of the periphery of said track camplate 23 is provided. Said adjusting worm 29 is fixed on a worm shaft 3!which is journaled in a suitable supported worm bearing bracket 32. Theopposite end of said worm shaft 3| is journaled in a suitable bearingsupport 33', and to said latter end is affixed a hand knob 34, wherebythe shaft and worm may be manually turned.

Preferably, although not essentially, a second track cam plate 35 ismounted on the cam shaft I0 adjacent to the opposite side of the maincam member II and its cam extension segment I8. Said second track camplate 35 is provided on its inner side with an inwardly offset track cam35 corresponding in shape, position and size, to the track cam 24 ofplate 23, and so as to provide a corresponding track surface 3l, liftsurface 33 and drop-off end 39, to operatively engage correspondinglaterally projecting roller means 4I! carried by the cam extensionsegment I8. Said track cam plate 23 and track cam plate 35 are coupledtogether for common rotative adjusting movements by means of a couplingbridge member 4I aflixed to and extending between their respectiveperipheries, exteriorly of the main cam member II and its cam extensionsegment i.

In order to prevent displacement of the cam track plate or plates from agiven position t0 which they have been adjusted, due to jarring orvibration of the machine in which the Variable cam mechanism isincorporated, a friction brake means is provided to cooperate with theadjusting worm shaft 3l or its manipulating hand knob For example, thehand knob 34 may be provided with a shank portion 42 adapted to beengaged by such brake means. An illustrative form of such brake means,as shown, comprises a pair of brake members i3-44, pivotally connectedby and mounted on a stationary pivot post 45 which is affixed to thebearing support 33 or other stationary part adjacent to the knob 34.Said brake members i3-44 terminate at their free ends in arcuate brakeshoe elements 45 which straddle and frictionally engage opposite sidesof the shank portion 42 of the knob 34. Said brake members and theirbrake shoe elements are tensionally urged one toward the other, so as tothus frictionally bind against the knob shank portion 42, by means of acompression spring 41 carried by a cap screw 48 which passes freelythrough an opening 49 in one brake member, e. g. the brake member 43,and screws into the other bra-ke member, e. g. the brake member 44. Saidcompression spring 4l is mounted around said cap screw 48, between thehead thereof and the brake member 133. Said brake means frictionallybinds the knob 3d, worm shaft 3l and worm 29 against accidental rotativeshift, and consequently, by reason of the intermeshing of the worm gearteeth 3B of the track cam plate 23 with the worin 25, said track camplate 23, and its companion track cam plate 35 if used, is likewiseretained against accidental rotative shift from any given adjustedposition.

The variable cam above described is adapted for use in many types ofautomatic machines for controlling included mechanisms thereof which aredesired to be intermittently actuated, subject vto increasing ordecreasing at will the period of operation within maximum-minimumlimits; and consequently, in its broader aspects, this inventioncomprehends the novel variable cam mechanism per se.

Deemed within the specific scope of this invention, as well asillustrative of the function and operation of the novel variable cammechanism, the same has been shown in combination with means forcontrollingr intermittent actuation of a feed auger of an automaticauger type container filling machine, whereby the period of operativerevolution of the feed auger may be increased or decreased at will.

An illustrative form of automatic auger type container filling machine,as shown, comprises a base frame 5) including side standards 5Iupstanding therefrom. Suitabli7 supported between said standard members5i, for disposition above a suitably driven and timed conveyor means 52upon which containers C are carried to and from filling position, is amaterial supply hopper 53, having a discharge funnel 54 at its bottomend, and material delivery means 55, leading from a bulk source ofmaterial supply, into its upper end. Connected with the outlet end ofsaid discharge funnel 5 is an axially aligned auger funnel 55,terminating at its lower free end in a spout sleeve 5l having aninternal diameter to t the auger 58, which extends through the augerfunnel and into said spout sleeve. Supported by the upper ends of saidstandard members 5I is a top frame 59.

Suitably journaled across the base frame 5l! is a continuously drivenpower shaft 5D, and suitably journaled across the top frame 59 is acounter-shaft 6 I. Said counter-shaft 6| is driven from said power shaft60 by means of a vertical transmission shaft 62; the latter being drivenfrom its lower end by intermeshing bevel gears 63 and 64 respectivelyaffixed to said power shaft and said transmission shaft, while thecounter-- shaft 6l is driven from the upper end of said transmissionshaft 62 by intermeshing bevel gears 65 and 66 respectively ailixed tothe latter and to said counter-shaft.

Extending downwardly from the top-frame 59 and axially into said hopper63 is a hollow stirrer shaft 6l, to which vare affixed stirrer members68-69 adapted to be revolved within the hopper interior, whereby to keepthe material supplied thereto loosened for assured gravitation to thedischarging auger 58. Aixed to the upper end of said stirrer shaft 67 isa bevel gear 10, with which meshes a drive bevel gear 'H aixed to saidcounter-shaft 6l. Since the counter-shaft 6i is continuously driven, thestirrer shaft 61 and its stirrer members 68-69 will also be continuouslydriven While the filling machine is, in operation.

Extending through the hollow stirrer shaft (il is an independentlyrotatable auger drive shaft 12, to the lower end of which the shank I3of the `auger 58 is suitably afxed. Clutch controlled transmission meansis provided for driving said auger drive shaft, at proper times, fromthe continuously rotating counter-shaft 6l. An illustrative form of suchtransmission means, as shown, comprises a driver clutch means 'M havinga hollow hub 15 which is journaled in the top frame 59, and to which isaiiixed a pinion 16. :l

Said pinion 15 meshes with a spur gear 'l, the latter being suitablyaffixed to the continuously rotating bevel gear 'le of the stirrer shaft6l, sol

that said driver clutch means l-L is continuously rotated while themachine is in operation. Ex-

tending through said driver clutch means 'I4 and its hub l5 is asuitably jo-urnaled jack-shaft 13, to which is keyed a shiftable drivenclutch means T9, including an annularly channeled shift collar 80. Aixedto said jack-shaft 'H8 is a spur gear 8| which meshes with and drives apinion 52, the latter being affixed to the upper end of the auger driveshaft '12, whereby said driver shaft and the auger 53 actuated therebyare likewise driven. Suitably supported adjacent to the clutch means isa pivoted clutch shift lever 83, the same having a yoke portion S4 atone end, the arms of which embrace the clutch shift collar 8!! and whichpivotally support shift shoe elements 85 for operatively engaging in theannular channel of 7.

said shift collar 8G. A pull rod means 86 for actuating the clutch shiftlever 83 is connected with the free end of the latter.

It will be understood that when the driven clutch means 79 is thrustinto engagement with the continuously driven driver clutch means ld, theformer will be rotated, and will in turn ro tate the jack-shaft 1B totransmit, through the gearing ill-82, operative motion to the augerdrive shaft 'l2 and the auger 58 actuated thereby.

When, however, the driven clutch means 'i9 is withdrawn from operativeengagement with the driver clutch means i4, rotation of the jack-shaft18 will cease, and consequently the auger drive shaft l2 and augeractuated thereby will be stopped.

In the described auger type filling machine, the variable cam mechanismis utilized to intermittently engage 'and disengage the auger controlclutch means in timed relation to the delivery and removal of containersC beneath the discharge spot 5l. To this end, the cam shaft I0, which isjournaled across the machine base frame 50, is driven, in a suitablytimed manner, from the machine power 60 through interconnecting gearingtil- 88, and suitably mounted for cooperation with the cam device is apivoted control lever 89, one arm of which carries a roller 90 to beoperatively engaged by the .effective peripheral surfaces of the maincam member Il and its cam extension segment I8, while to the o-ppositearm of which is connected the lower end of the clutch shift lever pullrod 86. Suitably anchored spring means SI is connected with said pullrod 8S to upwardly move the same in clutch releasing direction, while atthe same time causing the control lever roller 90 to yieldingly bearupon the variable cam device.

In the operation of the described auger type filling machine, acontainer C to be filled is held beneath the material discharge spout 5lfor a predetermined period of time, which period is at least equivalentto the time required for the total effective peripheral surface of themain cam member Il together with its cam extension segment I8 to movepast the roller 9! of the control lever 89; such total effective camsurface being adapted to determine the maximum length of time that theauger 58 may be permitted to revclve with material discharging effect,while the effective peripheral surface l2 of the cam member Il onlydetermines the minimum length of time that the auger 58 may be permittedto revolve.

Due to the hygroscopic and other characteristics of many materialsdesired to be handled by such auger type filling machines, it is ofgreat advantage to be able to vary the length of time, between saidminimum 'and maximum limits, that the auger 58 is permitted to revolve,whereby to precisely control the discharge of material in assureduniform predetermined container charging amounts at all times, andrelative to varying conditions of the material itself. For example,material of hygroscopic character may in damp or humid weather absorbmoisture and therefore tend to lag in discharge. To oiTset such lag itis desirable to increase the period of operation of the auger 5E,whereas in dry weather, when flow of such material becomes more free andlively, it is desirable to decrease the period of auger operation.

It is of especial advantage to be able to make suoli adjustments whilethe machine is running, since observation of the effects of adjustmentenables the operator to quickly determine the degree of adjustmentrequired, and no time is lost by stoppage of the machine. The abovedescribed variable cam device provides a highly effective means forattaining such advantages,

In the operation of the cam device, which, as shown, turns inanti-clockwise direction, when the cam member il engages the controllever roller 9d, the control lever 89 is swung clockwise, thus drawingdown the pullwrod 86 to move the clutch shift lever in clutch actuatingdirection, Wherebythe auger drive shaft 'I2 'and the auger 53 areoperatively rotated. The clutch remains engaged and the auger continuesin motion until the cam extension segment 53 drops off the track cams2li-35, thus ending the operative thrust of the cam device upon thecontrol lever 89, and consequently allowing the spring 9i to draw upwardsaid pull-rod 86, whereby to move the clutch shift lever 83 in clutchreleasing direction, so as to stop transmission of power to the augershaft 12, and thereby arrest operation of the auger 58.

It will be obvious that by turning the hand knob 34 in clockwisedirection, the track cam plates 23-35, through the motion transmittingworm and worm gear connection 29--3, will be turned anti-clockwise aboutthe cam shaft lil, whereby to advance the drop-off ends 21-39 of thetrack cams 2li-35 in direction of rotation of the cam member Il and itscam extension segment I8, so that the period of support of the latteragainst inward collapse is prolonged, and consequently release of theclutch is delayed, thus increasing the period of auger operation. On theother hand, by turning the hand knob 3d in anti-clockwise direction, thetrack cam plates 23-35 and their track cams 2-36 will be moved inclockwise direction, whereby to move the drop-off ends 2!-39 of thelatter in direction counter to the direction of rotation of the cammember Il and its cam extension segment I8, whereby the period ofsupport of the latter against inward collapse is diminished, and releaseof the clutch advanced, thus decreasing the period of auger operation.It will be understood that the amplitude of rotative movement of thetra-ck cam plates 23-35 is such that the track cams Zt--S may bepositioned in one extreme so as to obtain effective use of the totalcombined length of the main cam member I l and its cam extension segmentI8 for maximum operative effect, or in the other extreme so as to obtaineffective use solely of the length of the cam member Il for minimumoperative effect.

Although the cam device may be adjustably varied while in motion, asabove mentioned, it will be understood that it may also be equally welladjusted when idle.

It will be understood that all matter contained in the above descriptionor shown in the accompanyingr drawings is to be interpreted asillustrative and not in a limiting sense; and that various changes maybe made in the above described constructions, and different embodimentsof this invention may be made provided they do not depart from the scopeof the here following claims.

I claim:

l. rlhe combination with a rotatable shaft of a main cam member fixedthereon to rotate therewith, a cam extension segment pivotally connectedwith the trailing end of said main cam member, said segment, when heldin outswung operative position, being adapted to extend the effectiveperipheral surface of said cam member, and segment supporting andreleasing means pivoted on and adjustable about said shaft, said meansbeing rotatively adjustable to variably support said segment in andrelease the same from outswung position, whereby to increase or decreaseat will the total length of effective cam surface.

2. The combination with a rotatable shaft of a main cam member fixedthereon to rotate therewith, a cam extension segment pivotally connectedwith the trailing end of said main cam member, said segment, when heldin outswung operative position, being adapted to extend the effectiveperipheral surface of said cam member, track cam means adjustablymovable about said shaft and adapted to move said segment to and supportthe same in operative outswung position, said track cam means havingterminal dropoff means presented in direction of rotation of said maincam member and segment, whereby to release the latter with cam surfaceterminating effect, and means to adjustably advance or retract saidtrack cam means, whereby to increase or decrease at will the totallength of effective cam surface.

3. The combination with a rotatable shaft of a main cam member xedthereon to rotate therewith, a cam extension segment pivotally connectedwith the trailing end of said main cam member, said segment, when heldin outswung operative position, being adapted to extend the effectiveperipheral surface of said cam member, track cam means to move saidsegment to and support the same in operative outswung position, saidtrack cam means having terminal drop-off means presented in direction ofrotation of said main cam member and segment, whereby to release thelatter with cam surface terminating effect, means freely movable on andabout said shaft to carry said track cam means, and manipulatable meansto rotatively adjust said latter means to advance or retract said trackcam means, whereby to increase or decrease at will the total length ofeffective cam surface.

4. The combination with a rotatable shaft of a main cam member xedthereon to rotate therewith, a cam extension segment pivotally connectedwith the trailing end of said main cam member, said segment, when heldin outswung operative position, being adapted to extend the effectiveperipheral surface of said cam member, track cam means to move saidsegment to and support the same in operative outswung position, saidtrack cam means having terminal drop-off means presented in direction ofrotation of said main cam member and segment, whereby to release thelatter with cam surface terminating effect, means freely movable on andabout said shaft to carry said track cam means, and manipulatable meansto rotatively adjust said latter means to advance or retract said trackcam means, whereby to increase or decrease at will the total length ofeffective cam surface, said latter means comprising a worm, worm gearteeth on said track cam carrying means engaged by said worm, a rotatableworm shaft, and a hand knob on said worm shaft for actuating the sameand its worm.

5. The combination with a rotatable shaft of a main cam member fixedthereon to rotate therewith, a cam extension segment pivotally connectedwith the trailing end of said main cam member, said segment, when heldin outswung operative position, being adapted to extend the effectiveperipheral surface of said cam member, track cam means to move saidsegment to and support the same in operative outswung position, I

said track cam means having terminal dropoff means presented indirection of rotation of said main cam member and segment, whereby torelease the latter with cam surface terminating effect, means freelymovable on and about said shaft to carry said track cam means, andmanipulate-ble means to rotatively adjust said latter means to advanceor retract said track cam means, whereby to increase or decrease at willthe total length of effective cam surface, said latter means comprisinga worm, worm gear teeth on said track cam carrying means engaged by saidworm, a rotatable worm shaft, a hand knob on said worm shaft foractuating the same its worm, and frictional brake means co.- operativewith said worm shaft to retain the same, its worm and said track camcarrying means against accidental rotative displacement. Y

6. The .combination with a rotatable shaft of a main cam member fixedthereon-to rotate therewith, a cam extension segment pivotally connectedwith the trailing end of said cam member, said segment, when held inoutswung operative position, being adapted to extend the effectiveperipheral surface of said cam member, a track cam plate freely movableon and about said shaft adjacent a side of said cam member and segment,said track cam plate having inwardly offset track cam means, said trackcam means having segment releasing terminal drop-olf means presented indirection of rotation of said main cam member and segment, said segmenthaving laterally offset traction roller means engageable by said trackcam means to thereby outswing said segment to operative position, andmanipulatable means to rotatively adjust said track cam plate, wherebyto advance or retract said track cam means for segment release timingeffect and resultant increase or decrease at will of the total length ofeffective cam surface.

7. The combination with a rotatable shaft of a main cam member fixedthereon to rotate therewith, a cam extension segment pivotally connectedwith the trailing end of said cam member, said segment, when held inoutswung operative position, being adapted to extend the effectiveperipheral surface of said cam member, a track cam plate freely movableon and about said shaft adjacent a side of said cam member and segment,said track cam plate having inwardly cifset track cam means, said trackcam means having segment releasing terminal drop-off means presented indirection of rotation of said main cam member and segment, said segmenthaving laterally offset traction roller means engageable by said trackcam means to thereby outswing said segment to operative position, andmanipulatable means to rotatively adjust said track cam plate, wherebyto advance or retract said track Cam means for segment release timingeffect and resultant increase or decrease at will of the total length ofeffective cam surface, said latter means comprising a worm, worm gearteeth on the periphery o-f said track cam plate engaged by said worm, arotatable worm shaft, and a hand knob on said worm shaft for actuatingthe same and its worm.

8. The combination with a rotatable shaft of a main cam member fixedthereon to rotate therewith, a cam extension segment pivotally connectedwith the trailing end of said cam member, said segment, when held inoutswung operative position, being adapted to extend the effectiveperipheral surface of said cam member, a track cam plate freely movableon and about said shaft adjacent a side of said ycam member and segment,said track cam plate having inwardly offset track cam means, said trackcam means having segment releasing terminal drop-olf means presented indirection of rotation of said main cam member and segment, said segmenthaving laterally offset traction roller means engageable by said trackcam means to thereby outswing said segment to operative position, andmanipulatable means to rotatively adjust said track cam plate, wherebyto advance or retract said track cam means for segment release timingeffect and resultant increase or decrease at will of the total length ofeffective cam surface, said latter means comprising a worm, worm gearteeth on the periphery of said track cam plate engaged by said worm, arotatable worm shaft, a hand knob on said worm shaft for actuating thesame and its worm, and frictonal brake means cooperative with said wormshaft to retain the same, its worm and track cam plate againstaccidental rotative displacement.

9. The combination with a rotatable shaft of a main cam member fixedthereon to rotate therewith, a cam extension segment pivotally connectedwith the trailing end of said cam member, said segment, when held inoutswung operative position, being adapted to extend the effectiveperipheral surface of said cam member, track cam plates freely movableon and about said shaft respectively adjacentopposite sides of said cammember and segment, means toy couple said track cam plates together forcommon rotative movement, said track cam plates having inwardly offsettrack Cams each having segment releasing terminal drop-off meanspresented in direction of rotation of said main cam member and segment,said segment having oppositely extending laterally offset tractionroller means respectively engageable by said respective track cams tothereby outswing said segment to operative position, and manipulatablemeans to rotatively adjust said track cam plates, whereby to advance orretract said track cams for segment release timing effect and resultantincrease or decrease at will of the total length of effective camsurface.

10. The combination with a rotatable shaft of a main cam member xedthereon to rotate therewith, a cam extension segment pivotally connectedwith the trailing end of said cam member, said segment, when held inoutswung operative position, being adapted to extend the effectiveperipheral surface of said cam member, track cam plates freely movableon and about said shaft respectively adjacent opposite sides of said cammember and segment, means to couple said track cam plates together forcommon rotative movement, said track .cam plates having inwardly offsettrack Cams each having segment releasing terminal drop-off meanspresented in direction of rotation of said main cam member and segment,said segment having oppositely extending laterally offset tractionroller means respec- V tively engageable by said respective track camsto ythereby outswing said segment to operative position, andmanipulatable means to rotatively adjust said track cam plates, wherebyto advance or retract said track cams for segment release timing effectand resultant increase or decrease at will of the total length ofeffective cam surface, said latter means comprising a worm, worm gearteeth on the periphery of one of said track cam plates engaged by saidWorm, a rotatable vworm shaft, and a hand knob on said worm shaft foractuating the same and its worm.

11. The combination with a rotatable shaft of a main cam member xedthereon to rotate therewith, a cam extension segment pivotally connectedwith the trailing end of said .cam member, said segment, when held inoutswung operative position, being adapted to extend the effectiveperipheral surface of said cam member, track cam plates freely movableon and about said shaft respectively adjacent opposite sides of said cammember and segment, means to couple said track cam plates together forcommon rotative movement, said track cam plates having inwardly offsettrack cams each having segment releasing terminal drop-off meanspresented in direction of rotation of said main cam member and segment,said segment having oppositely extending laterally offset tractionroller means respectively engageable by said respective track cams tothereby outswing said segment to operative position, and manipulatablemeans to rotatively adjust said track cam plates, whereby to advance orretract said track cams for segment release timing effect and resultantincrease or decrease at will of the total length of effective camsurface, said latter means comprising a worm, worm gear teeth on theperiphery of one of said track cam plates engaged by said Worm, arotatable Worm shaft, a hand knob on said Worm shaft for actuating thesame and its Worm, and frictional brake means cooperative with said wormshaft to retain the same, its Worm and said track cam plates againstaccidental rotative displacement.

12. In combination with mechanism to be intermittently actuated, powertransmission means for driving said mechanism, a variable cam device,and means controlled by said cam device for starting and stopping saidpower transmission means, adjustment of said cam device being adapted toadvance or retard the moment of power transmission stop, whereby todecrease or increase at will the operative phase of the intermittentlyactuated mechanism, said cam device comprising a cam member, acontinuously driven shaft for rotating said cam member, a cam extensionsegment pivotally connected With the trailing end of said cam member,said segment, when held in outswung position, being adapted to extendthe effective peripheral surface of said cam member, and segmentsupporting and releasing means adjustable about said shaft and operativeto variably support said segment in cutswung position, whereby toincrease or decrease at will the total length of effective cam surface.

OMER E. COTE.

